Photo by Eric Bolte/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Cameron Porter could score a thousand goals throughout his career, but few will rival the moment that came with his first ever professional finish.
Porter provided a last-gasp finish in the Montreal Impact’s 1-1 draw with Pachuca, ensuring the club’s advancement to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals as well as Porter’s recognition as SBI MLS Rookie of the Week.
The Princeton product, drafted 45th overall in January’s draft, lifted the Impact with a 94th minute finish by latching on to a Callum Mallace through ball. Porter proceeded to chest the pass down and beat a defender before calmly finishing with the composure of a veteran, sending Montreal into a frenzy while cementing his status has hero of the day.
Porter beat out D.C. United midfielder Miguel Aguilar, Colorado Rapids forward Dominique Badji, Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg and New York City FC forward Khiry Shelton for this week’s honors.
—
What did you think of Porter’s play? Which rookie stood out to you this week?
Share your thoughts below.
Centerville Elks in the House. He grew up in a soccer playing suburb in Dayton, Ohio that is well known. Same town as College Football Pundit Kirk Herbstreet. Great on him for representing Ohio Soccer!
Porter looks terrific. When Mapp went down, Porter suddenly became the best player the Impact had out there on Saturday. Very impressive. Seems MLS scouts badly underrated him. Great instincts, real skill, and he seems pretty quick for a kid who was playing in the Ivy League instead of a bigger program. More than anything, his confidence stands out. He’s willing to try almost anything and has the skills to pull it off. Maybe that’s a side benefit to having played in a weaker conference. Perhaps, he’s perfected some moves that other players don’t even get the chance to try.